Red Bank Getting Close On Updated Zoning; Mohawk Canoe Is New Business

Wednesday, September 3, 2014
- by Gail Perry

Zoning in Red Bank was last done 30 years ago and is in need of updating, said Mayor John Roberts. Since then, spot zoning has taken place throughout the city. The new plan encompasses both residential and commercial development, and is intended to direct development that is appropriate for each area.

The city’s planning commission is close to presenting a new plan that has been in the works and interested citizens are ready to see it. One resident questioned why Commissioner Rick Causer said he needed several more meetings before the plan is made public and submitted to the city commissioners for approval.

Mayor Roberts told Mr. Causer that he could meet with Public Works Director Tim Thornbury to get information that he wanted. He was also told that he would be allowed to meet one-on-one with members of the planning commission for questions, without breaking the sunshine laws.

Vice Mayor Floy Pierce said a new zoning plan is needed but that Red Bank should create its own. She is concerned that the zoning commission has relied upon regional, state, national and global guidelines which she views as too restrictive. She asked the commissioners and residents to study the dangers of Agenda 21 and of regional growth plans.

In his report to the commissioners Mayor Roberts announced the Mohawk Canoe company has bought the old Chattanooga Coffin Company on Linden Avenue and is relocating to Red Bank. The large building has been divided into six spaces with five already having tenants. In addition to Mohawk Canoe there will be Plant Drive and Systems, Sync Cycles, Brogden Steel and a Tree Service that builds furniture from the wood that it cuts.

Randall Smith, city manager, said that phase one of the the city’s paving project is now completed and phase two will begin in early October. “A lot of people are happy,” said Mayor Roberts, that so many secondary roads have been resurfaced. Mr. Smith also announced that a community safety expo will be held at Bi-Lo on Dayton Boulevard on Sept. 13 from 10 a.m to noon.

On second and final reading, property at 1724 and 1730 Dayton Blvd. was rezoned to L-1 Light Manufacturing. Pratt Homebuilders purchased and remodeled a building adjacent to these properties to use for the company headquarters. Because the new exit off of Highway 27 will empty traffic onto Dayton Boulevard in front of these buildings, it was determined that a business with low traffic volume would be needed. With the help of the mayor, the city manager and of consultants, owner James Pratt determined that a climate controlled self-storage facility would be the best use for the location.

Frances Street, an unused alley, runs between two buildings on this property and dead ends into railroad tracks. Mr. Pratt requested that the city abandon its right of way where the alley crosses his property, so it can be used in this development. On second reading Tuesday night, this ordinance was approved giving the right of way to Pratt Homebuilders.

In new business, the 2015 budget was amended to appropriate $15,000 received from the state criminal justice program grant. This is a 75/25 grant with the city being responsible for adding $5,000. The total amount of $20,000 will be used to install video cameras in police cars, said Police Chief Tim Christol.

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